AI wearables pack notes, chat and constant listening

From Bee and Friend to Rabbit R1, new AI gadgets promise summaries, reminders and support while fueling privacy concerns over always-on microphones.

A growing crop of AI wearables is trying to push artificial intelligence deeper into daily life — not just on phones, but on wrists, necklaces and even keychains. These devices promise practical help, from note-taking and reminders to companionship and self-reflection. But there’s a trade-off built into many of them: they listen constantly, and that has already triggered privacy concerns and public criticism.

Pendants turn conversations into reminders and records

Several devices in this category are built around a simple pitch: capture what people say, then turn it into something useful later. Bee is one of the cheapest examples. Its $49.99 pendant can be clipped to clothing or worn like a fitness band, recording what it hears, learning routines and preferences, and using that information to create reminders and notes. There’s also a mute button for times when users want privacy.

The companion app is currently available only on iOS and requires a $19 monthly subscription. Through the app, users can talk to Bee directly, ask questions, review key takeaways from the day and read chronological transcripts of conversations.

Amazon acquired the wearables startup in July 2025 and launched new products earlier this month, as IT-PUB News reports. The company introduced the Bee Frontier for $74.99, which can be worn on the wrist or clipped to clothing, and the Bee Eclipse for $99.99, a device about the size of a credit card that attaches magnetically to the back of a smartphone. Both keep the same core functions as the earlier version and are positioned as lower-cost alternatives to devices such as the Plaud Note and Plaud NotePin. Users can also connect Bee to Alexa.

Limitless, formerly called Rewind, is taking a similar route at $99. It continuously listens and, with consent, turns meetings, calls and conversations into searchable, summarized knowledge. The company says the device is especially useful for professionals, including journalists, who need to revisit important discussions later. The app includes 10 hours of AI features per month, including transcription and summaries, while unlimited use costs $29 per month.

Plaud’s NotePin sits higher in the price range at $159. It is aimed at people who need frequent transcription, including lawyers, journalists and students in meetings or lectures. The tiny recorder can be worn on the wrist or attached magnetically to clothing, and recordings are saved to the phone in real time. The device includes 300 free transcription minutes per month, while the $8.33 monthly Pro plan raises that limit to 1,200 minutes.

Plaud is also preparing the Plaud Note Pro, a $179 ultra-thin note-taking device that is already available for preorder.

Friend and Nirva pitch AI as support, not just productivity

Not every device in the roundup is mainly about work. Friend has become one of the more visible names in the “personal AI” category. The $129 white pendant hangs around the neck and is designed as an emotional support companion. It can recognize tone and mood, and users can chat with it as if it were a friend. The device connects to a phone over Bluetooth, listens continuously and can send proactive messages — for example, wishing someone good luck before an interview.

That concept has also drawn criticism. Friend faced backlash over a subway ad campaign in New York City, where people vandalized the ads and wrote messages including “surveillance capitalism.”

The company has since introduced a major update called Friend 2.0. The new version adds a built-in speaker, allowing the device to communicate with users and present a more distinct personality.

Nirva is taking a different path. Rather than focusing on work notes or companionship, the startup is pitching personal growth. Founded by former Meta Reality Labs employees, Nirva is building a wearable that listens to the wearer’s speech and turns everyday experiences into a personal journal. The pendant or bracelet is meant to help users better understand their emotions, communication style and habits. In the companion app, they can review behavior patterns and look for ways to improve.

Nirva plans to open orders in November, with shipments to early users targeted for the end of the year. The device will cost $249.

Rings, headsets and handhelds widen the category

Some companies are trying less obvious formats. Sandbar emerged from stealth last year with the Stream ring, an AI wearable for note-taking. The ring includes a microphone that stays off by default and can be activated through a touch-sensitive panel on top. Users can press and hold it to record notes, talk to an AI assistant through the companion app and control media playback, including play, pause, skip and volume.

The Stream ring is expected to launch this summer at $299 in silver and gold finishes.

Omi, priced at $89, also tries to make AI feel more personal. It can answer questions, summarize conversations, create to-do lists and help schedule meetings. The device is always listening and runs conversations through ChatGPT so it can remember context and offer personalized advice. It can be worn as a necklace, or attached to the side of the head with medical tape, where it detects when the user is speaking to it.

Another device in the mix is Rabbit R1, a $199 handheld gadget with a touchscreen and rotating camera. It is designed to work alongside a phone, letting users book flights, order meals and control apps without opening their handset each time. After an important software update addressed earlier performance problems, the device now includes expanded AI features, including “Creations,” which lets users build their own tools and even games.

Meta is preparing its Muse wearable

Meta has also stepped into the category with its first AI wearable, introduced in September. The device has not shipped yet, but it is expected to provide access to Meta’s personal AI assistant, Muse. It will reportedly include Jolly, a playful digital avatar representing the assistant. The pocket-sized wearable can be carried around or attached to a keychain, and it has a miniature display that shows the avatar. Users will be able to interact with Muse through voice commands and ask it to complete tasks.

The number of products now competing in this space shows how quickly AI wearables are becoming a crowded category rather than a novelty. Some are trying to replace note-taking apps, some are built around productivity, and others lean on companionship or self-reflection. The pressure point, though, remains the same: how much convenience people are willing to trade for devices that are always listening.